CEO is running for Pittsburg City Council

By Allen D. Payton

According to documents available on the Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County website, a private security company based in Antioch sued The Greater Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce and “Does 1-50” to get paid a little more than $15,000 for providing services to the Pittsburg Seafood Festival in 2023. The annual event was organized by the Chamber for which Wolfgang Croskey, a current Pittsburg City Council candidate, was and is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

While the organization’s new website offers no mention of him, on the page of Croskey’s campaign website entitled, “The Record” he lists, “Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, CEO 2020 onward.”

In his role as CEO, Croskey signed the agreement with Strategic Threat Management, Inc. in August 2023 for the security services provided to the festival the following month. Yet, Croskey and the Chamber refused to pay, even after being sued and losing in court in 2024, until now.

While the contract total was for $26,561.60, the company sought $15,173.60 in their lawsuit, filed April 23, 2024, and the default judgment was issued and filed a little over a year later, on April 29, 2025. It required the Chamber to also pay the company pretrial interest at an annual rate of 10%, plus, attorneys fees and other costs for a total of $18,555.30.

Asked why the difference between the contract total and amount in the lawsuit, Strategic Threat Management’s president, Lawrence Treat explained, “He paid 50 percent as a deposit.” The additional amount sought in the lawsuit was to cover interest before it was filed. “He totally ghosted us. The judgment was by default. He completely ignored the court.”

On Monday, October 12, 2026, Treat shared with the Herald that Croskey had paid his attorney on Friday which was confirmed today. Asked what Croskey said to him, Treat said, “He didn’t say squat. No apology. It’s an absolute insult. It couldn’t have come at a better time. More important is the principle. You can’t do that to honest people. We’ve been in the community for a long time. It was absolutely uncalled for. It goes to his character. Heaven forbid he ends up in office. He’ll be in charge of city finances.”

“How timely was that?” Treat added asking rhetorically.

When asked why the Chamber still hadn’t paid Strategic Threat three years after their services were rendered and 18 months after the judgement was issued, Croskey said on Monday, “That’s been taken care of and paid.”

Asked if there was a dispute, he said, “No dispute at all. Just a revenue issue. The last couple of festivals have taken out of the Chamber. We’ve lost the steel mill and Corteva. We’ve lost some major sponsors. It’s been hard. We’ve never disputed the item or their services. The Chamber doesn’t get any money from the City and hasn’t for the past two years.”

The 2024 festival was the final year of the annual event that was first held in 1984.

Asked why the Chamber did not respond to the lawsuit in 2024 Croskey said, “There was nothing to dispute. Just took a little bit longer than expected. But it was paid 100 percent in full.”

See Judgement.

Croskey faces nine other candidates for three council seats in the November election.

LMC Latino students excel

Online celebration Oct. 22

By Juliet V. Casey, Director of Marketing and Media Design, Los Medanos College and Loni Swain, Director of Communications, Campaign for College Opportunity

Pittsburg, Calif. – The Campaign for College Opportunity named Los Medanos College a 2026 Pathway Champion of Placement for its Latino Student Success in English. This award recognizes colleges where Latino students are completing transfer-level English at the highest rates, with particular attention to closing racial equity gaps.

“We commend your institution’s commitment to advancing equitable student success and strengthening California’s transfer pathway,” said Jessie Ryan, president of The Campaign for College Opportunity. “This achievement underscores the extraordinary efforts of your faculty and staff to ensure all students, especially those historically underrepresented, have the opportunity to succeed.”

Ryan added that LMC is leading the way, showing what is possible “when equity and excellence go hand in hand.”

LMC will be recognized during the Pathway Champions: Celebrating Colleges Building Seamless Paths to Student Success virtual celebration on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., during National Transfer Week.

“Los Medanos College is a culturally rich institution, where more than 45% of the student population identifies as Latinx,” LMC President Ralston said. “We are honored and proud of this recognition.”

Ralston said that as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, LMC prioritizes improving transfer-level English completion for this population but has not done so in isolation. The college’s Student Equity Plan includes strategies designed to address shared and intersecting barriers to completion of all students, she said.

Morgan Lynn, chair of LMC’s English Department, faculty members have been making student-centered, holistic, and innovative changes to our programming and pedagogy.

“This award is a testament to all of our committed faculty, who have dedicated themselves to truly putting students first,” she said. 

LMC Vice President of Instruction A’kilah Smith applauded the English Department for their notable work.

“I’m especially proud of our English faculty and colleagues who have embraced the opportunity to rethink how we support students, remove barriers, and create pathways to early success in college-level English,” Smith said.

Marisa Johnson, director of policy impact for The Campaign for College Opportunity, said LMC’s approach stands out. During the 2023-2024 academic year, LMC’s overall transfer-level English completion rate within one year of initial enrollment was 69.4% and 65.1% among Latino students, below the threshold to qualify for the award. After implementing its equity plan, which includes targeted initiatives, services, guidance and resources, LMC’s completion rate overall and for Latino students both rose to 72%.

“So, this award really represents closing the equity gap for last year’s English gateway courses,” Johnson said.

Rachel Anicetti, LMC dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said the award also reflects LMC’s commitment to equity. 

“I am incredibly proud for our English faculty and their collaborative investment in professional development, learning communities, and equitable teaching practices,” she said.

Pathway Champion awards honor campuses advancing landmark reforms in equitable placement (AB 705 and 1705, Irwin), which maximize student success in transfer level-courses, and the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), which streamlines transfer between community colleges and CSUs. Since the passage of AB 705 and AB 1705 (Irwin), California Community Colleges have made historic progress in ensuring students are placed directly into transfer-level courses.

The Campaign for College Opportunity is recognizing 40 Pathway Champions this year.  The 40 honorees include California Community Colleges and CSU campuses.

About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood. For more information visit www.losmedanos.edu.

About the Campaign for College Opportunity: The Campaign for College Opportunity is a coalition representing business, labor, civil rights, religious groups and civic organizations working to ensure that California keeps the promise of college opportunity to California’s next generation of students. The coalition is dedicated to ensuring every Californian can attend and succeed in college, building a stronger future for California’s communities and the students who power them.

By Lt. Franco Cesar, Antioch Police Department

ANTIOCH, Calif. — On September 26, 2026, at 8:56 p.m., the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center received multiple calls reporting five to six gunshots in the 5400 block of Prewett Ranch Drive.

While officers were responding to the area, dispatch received a report that a 16-year-old male had been dropped off at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Additional officers responded to the hospital and contacted the victim, a Brentwood resident. The victim told officers he was leaving a house party on Prewett Ranch Drive when the shooting occurred.

The victim was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Officers processing the scene on Prewett Ranch Drive confirmed the shooting was connected to the nearby house party. During the preliminary investigation, officers also discovered that two nearby residences had been struck by gunfire. No additional injuries were reported.

There is currently no suspect information available. The Antioch Police Department is actively investigating the incident and working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident, or anyone who has home surveillance or dashcam footage from the area around the time of the shooting, is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department.

Those wishing to remain anonymous may also submit a tip. Case No.: 26-9254

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Antioch and Brentwood, CA – Contra Costa County Public Works will perform road traffic safety improvements at four sites along Deer Valley Road between Empire Mine Road and Marsh Creek Road, from Tuesday, September 8, 2026, through Friday, November 20, 2026, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, weather permitting.

Traffic control will be used at each site with restrictions in place to minimize impacts during commuting hours. Message boards will alert drivers to the work. Drivers should expect delays through the work zones and consider alternative routes during working hours. 

The project is intended to enhance safety at four locations on Deer Valley Road. Funding for this project is provided by the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and Local Gas Tax SB1. For more information about this project, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/Deer-Valley-Road-Traffic-Safety-Improvements 

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of over 650 miles of roads, 79 miles of streams and channels, and over 150 County buildings. CCCPWD services include parks and recreation, sandbag distribution, flood control, road and facilities maintenance, and storm water management. CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org.

First community workshop set for Tuesday, Sept. 22 in Antioch

Closed since 2022

By East Bay Regional Park District

OAKLAND, Calif. — The East Bay Regional Park District is inviting residents to help shape the future of swimming and recreation at Contra Loma Regional Park, beginning with a community workshop on Sept. 22 in Antioch. 

The community workshop will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Antioch Community Center located at 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch 94531. Participants will be asked to share their ideas for future swimming, aquatic features, and other recreational amenities at the park.

“Contra Loma Regional Park has been an important part of this community for decades, and we want to hear directly from the people who use this park about what should come next,” said Max Korten, general manager. “Whether you swim, fish, hike, or picnic here, we encourage every member of the community to attend a workshop, take the survey, or reach out to our team. Your input will shape the swim and recreation features we bring forward for this park.”

The Sept. 22 workshop is the first step in a broader public planning process that will include additional meetings, outreach at community events, surveys, and interviews to explore all options for recreation at Contra Loma Regional Park. 

The Contra Loma Swim Lagoon was closed by the East Bay Regional Park District in 2022 due to maintenance and engineering issues. In 2025, the Park District drained the lagoon while evaluating options for the site’s future. Since then, the Park District has continued to invest in Contra Loma, including new fishing docks, a renovated boat launch, expanded paths and green space, new ADA-accessible restrooms and picnic sites, and the reopening of the Loma Island picnic area.

The Park District also provides lifeguard services at the Ambrose Aquatic Center to support daily operations during peak swim season and partners with Antioch Unified School District to offer swim and water safety lessons at Antioch and Deer Valley high schools.

Public engagement on the Contra Loma project will continue through spring 2027. Visit ebparks.org/contra-loma for workshop dates, an online survey, and project details. For information about the park, visit ebparks.org/parks/contra-loma.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Both were Liberty High student-athletes; two others injured, including another Liberty student-athlete

UPDATES: No police chase prior to collision; third boy who survived, the driver from Brentwood, identified; online fundraisers for families of the two deceased and survivor’s recovery established

By Lt. Franco Cesar, Antioch Police Department

ANTIOCH, CA – The Antioch Police Department is deeply saddened to report a fatal traffic collision that occurred early Sunday morning, claiming two lives and leaving others injured.

On September 13, 2026, at 12:11 AM, APD Dispatch received a report of a major vehicle collision in the area of Deer Valley Road and Balfour Road. Officers arrived on scene at 12:21 AM and located two vehicles involved: a white BMW and a silver Infiniti.

Tragically, two occupants inside the Infiniti died at the scene. A third individual from the Infiniti sustained injuries and was promptly transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The driver of the BMW also sustained injuries as a result of the collision.  

According to Sgt. Rob Green the two deceased were 17-year-old males from Discovery Bay. According to a report by The Press, they were “Liberty High School student-athletes” and one of the injured was another current Liberty student and athlete from the Brentwood school.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under active investigation by the Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit. Out of respect for the families and loved ones involved, law enforcement is working to confirm the identity of one victim and complete next-of-kin notifications before releasing additional information.

UPDATE 1 (9/14/26): One of the two boys has been identified by his mother. In posts on her Facebook page and the Instagram account for her photography business Monday morning, Sept. 14th, Stephanie Starkenberg-Ferrari shared her son’s name, Dominic Anthony Starkenberg Ferrari, and his birthdate, March 21, 2009, along with his photo.

UPDATE 2 (9/15/26): The other boy was identified in an online fundraiser on AngeLink, as Caden Kyle. That was organized by Lynne Mile on behalf of Chris Kyle and Shannon Boyle. As of Tuesday afternoon, $32,244 of $35,000 Goal had been contributed. In addition, a GoFundMe account has been set up to benefit Starkenberg Ferrari’s family, listed as Stephanie, Gino and Sophia. As of Tuesday evening, $39,548 of the $47,000 goal had been raised.

UPDATE 3 (9/15/26): Not a Police Chase

To dispel one of the rumors on social media that a police chase had occurred prior to the collision, Sgt. Green, “It was not a police chase. The BMW involved, did flee from East Bay Regional Park Police a week before the crash. But there is no indication the driver of the BMW was the one who fled. That car was entered as a felony vehicle on the CHP log. That’s how that rumor started.”

Asked about the driver of the other vehicle with the three boys inside he said, “Neither of the boys who died was the driver. The boy who survived was.”

“That is all we have right now. We are just determining if there was any negligence involved,” Green added.

UPDATE 4 (9/16/26): Third Boy Identified, Online Fundraiser for His Recovery Established

The third boy involved in the fatal collision early Sunday morning, the driver of the Infiniti, has been identified as James Harper. He is from Brentwood according to Sgt. Green. A GoFundMe account has been established by Mateo Morrison to raise funds to support Harper’s recovery. It reads in part, “James is a Liberty student who plays soccer and is active in the FFA” (Future Farmers of America) and “has a long road to recovery in front of him.” As of Wednesday evening, $16,029 of the $20,000 goal had been raised.

As investigators work to piece together the events leading up to the collision, the Antioch Police Department asks anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has surveillance or dashcam footage from the area around the time of the crash, to please come forward. If you have any information, please contact Sgt. Green of the Traffic Unit at (925) 779-6864. Anonymous tips may also be submitted directly to the department. Case No.: 26-8743.

Please check back later for any additional updates to this report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Stand Up on the Delta by local non-profit connects U.S. veterans with community and critical services like housing and jobs 

By Ella Sogomonian

Antioch, CA – Delta Veterans Group continues its mission to serve those who served our country. The local non-profit is inviting U.S. veterans on Friday, Sept.11 to the VFW Post 6435 in Antioch for the inaugural “Stand Up on the Delta”. This one-day event (video here) connects vets with medical treatment, housing, jobs, as well as mental health and drug counseling. In addition to these critical services, the event builds a sense of camaraderie for veterans who have a hard time creating a sense of community after they end their military service. DVG partners with East Bay Regional parks to take vets and their families fishing on the Delta shores. They will provide  a backpack, collapsible fishing pole, tackle and lunch will be catered. Competitions, such as farthest cast, will also take place. There is a 50 veteran limit for the fishing experience.

“As a vet myself I understand how critical it is to extend a helping hand and create a welcoming space,” said J.R. Wilson, Founder of Delta Veterans Group. “Veterans serve their country and community so we give them a new mission to serve the community and these events bring them together to make that happen.”

Since 2015, the non-profit has helped more than thousands of veterans by finding permanent housing, serving over 23,000 meals, providing half-a-million-dollars in dental care, and sleeping bags. 

Who: U.S. military veterans and their families

What: Stand Up on the Delta resource event

When: Friday, Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Where: TWO LOCATIONS: Resource fair at VFW Post 6435, 815 Fulton Shipyard Road Antioch, CA 94509 & fishing experience at Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline Pier at Bridgehead Road at Wilbur Avenue in Antioch, CA 94509

Contact on-site: JR Wilson at (925) 222-7596

Information & Resource Fair and Free Fishing Event

To learn more about the Delta Veterans Group visit deltaveteransgroup.org or follow them on www.facebook.com/DeltaVeteransGroup.